--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our life is managed from behind the…" description: "\"Our life is managed from behind the scenes: we are actors in dramas that we cannot interpret. Of almost no decisive event can we say: this was our own ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d6/walter-lippmann-1083_actors_our-life-is-managed-from-behind-the-scen_3119170.jpg" --- # Our life is managed from behind the scenes: we are actors… ![“Our life is managed from behind the scenes: we are actors in dramas that we cannot interpret. Of almost no decisive event can we say: this was our own choosing. We happen upon careers, necessity pushing, blind inclination pulling. If we stop to think we are amazed that we should be what we are.” quote by Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d6/walter-lippmann-1083_actors_our-life-is-managed-from-behind-the-scen_3119170.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d6/walter-lippmann-1083_actors_our-life-is-managed-from-behind-the-scen_3119170.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d6/walter-lippmann-1083_actors_our-life-is-managed-from-behind-the-scen_3119170.jpg) > “Our life is managed from behind the scenes: we are actors in dramas that we cannot interpret. Of almost no decisive event can we say: this was our own choosing. We happen upon careers, necessity pushing, blind inclination pulling. If we stop to think we are amazed that we should be what we are.” [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our lives feel scripted by unseen forces, limiting true agency and self‑understanding. **In simple terms:** We seem controlled by hidden scripts. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden influences and seek authentic choices. Themes determinism identity agency existentialism Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career decisions - relationship choices - personal development - creative pursuits Key Concepts free will social conditioning self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - How do you identify unseen scripts in your life? - What steps can you take to reclaim agency? A Different Perspective Limited awareness may prevent meaningful change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Actors Dramas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors-dramas-1354767/) [Amazed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amazed/) [Behind the scenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behind-the-scenes/) [Behinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/) [Blind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blind/) [Careers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/careers/) [Careers Necessity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/careers-necessity-4983521/) [Choosing Happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choosing-happen-5469166/) [Drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drama/) [Dramas Interpret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dramas-interpret-5469165/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inclination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inclination/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Life Managed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-managed-694484/) [Our lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-lives/) [Pulling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pulling/) [Pushing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pushing/) [Scene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scene/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I do believe we are actors in our own dramas, which, moment by moment, we ourselves write; that we are characters in our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-lock/i-do-believe-we-are-actors-in-our-own-dramas-which-moment-by-moment/) [Norman Lock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-lock/) > [We should probably start searching around a little earlier in our lives for what I call parallel activities, because most of us get entrenched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darold-treffert/we-should-probably-start-searching-around-a-little-earlier-in-our/) [Darold Treffert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darold-treffert/) > [Life is not cured, Mr. Gilner." Dr. Mahmoud leans in. "Life is managed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/life-is-not-cured-mr-gilner-dr-mahmoud-leans-in-life-is-managed/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [My life is very well managed. I have a lot on my plate, and at the same time, there were still holes, and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martina-navratilova/my-life-is-very-well-managed-i-have-a-lot-on-my-plate-and-at-the-same/) [Martina Navratilova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martina-navratilova/) > [“Testimony to her belief that life could be managed if things were only kept in their proper places.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolee-dean/testimony-to-her-belief-that-life-could-be-managed-if-things-were/) [Carolee Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolee-dean/) > [Life Is Managed; It Is Not Cured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/life-is-managed-it-is-not-cured/) [Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/) > [Life may not be fair, but when you have someone to believe in, life can be managed, and sometimes, even miraculous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-scheeres/life-may-not-be-fair-but-when-you-have-someone-to-believe-in-life-can/) [Julia Scheeres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-scheeres/) > [I'm going to be here until I'm cured?" "Life is not cured, Mr. Gilner. Life is managed".](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/i-m-going-to-be-here-until-i-m-cured-life-is-not-cured-mr-gilner-life/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“So I am going to be until I am cured?" "Life is not cured, Mr. Gilner. Life is managed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini-it-s-kind-of-a-funny-story/so-i-am-going-to-be-until-i-am-cured-life-is-not-cured-mr-gilner-life/) [Ned Vizzini It's kind of a Funny Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini-it-s-kind-of-a-funny-story/) > [Life Rewards Action Measure your life and its quality based on results, not intentions. You Create Your Own Experience Accept that you, and only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/old-chinese/life-rewards-action-measure-your-life-and-its-quality-based-on/) [Old Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/old-chinese/) > [Life's managed, not cured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-s-managed-not-cured/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I had to fight tooth and nail to stay in an industry where I had a lot of problems. I've gone through a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ty-herndon/i-had-to-fight-tooth-and-nail-to-stay-in-an-industry-where-i-had-a/) [Ty Herndon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ty-herndon/) > [The private citizen today has come to feel rather like a deaf spectator in the back row, who ought to keep his mind on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-private-citizen-today-has-come-to-feel-rather-like-a-deaf/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [CD's are amazing because you get the artwork, you get to look at the lyrics, you get to look at the behind-the-scenes photos or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-patrick/cd-s-are-amazing-because-you-get-the-artwork-you-get-to-look-at-the/) [Richard Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-patrick/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) ## More by Walter Lippmann > [The emancipated woman has to fight something worse than the crusted prejudices of her uncles; she has to fight the bewilderment in her own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-emancipated-woman-has-to-fight-something-worse-than-the-crusted/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Even God has been defended with nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/even-god-has-been-defended-with-nonsense/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [A better distribution of incomes would increase that efficiency by diverting a great fund of wealth from the useless to the useful members of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/a-better-distribution-of-incomes-would-increase-that-efficiency-by/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [There is but one bond of peace that is both permanent and enriching: The increasing knowledge of the world in which experiment occurs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/there-is-but-one-bond-of-peace-that-is-both-permanent-and-enriching/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Where there is no danger of overt action there is rarely any interference with freedom. That is why there has so often been amazing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/where-there-is-no-danger-of-overt-action-there-is-rarely-any/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-final-test-of-a-leader-is-that-he-leaves-behind-him-in-other-men/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The simple opposition between the people and big business has disappeared because the people themselves have become so deeply involved in big business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-simple-opposition-between-the-people-and-big-business-has/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [A free press is not a privilege but an organic necessity in a great society. ... A great society is simply a big and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/a-free-press-is-not-a-privilege-but-an-organic-necessity-in-a-great/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [“Since position and contact play so big a part in determining what can be seen, heard, read, and experienced, as well as what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/since-position-and-contact-play-so-big-a-part-in-determining-what-can/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [An alliance is like a chain. It is not made stronger by adding weak links to it. A great power like the United States…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/an-alliance-is-like-a-chain-it-is-not-made-stronger-by-adding-weak/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The chief element in the art of statesmanship under modern conditions is the ability to elucidate the confused and clamorous interests which converge upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-chief-element-in-the-art-of-statesmanship-under-modern-conditions/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [At the core of every moral code there is a picture of human nature, a map of the universe, and a version of history.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/at-the-core-of-every-moral-code-there-is-a-picture-of-human-nature-a/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [The tendency of the casual mind is to pick out or stumble upon a sample which supports or defies its prejudices, and then to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/the-tendency-of-the-casual-mind-is-to-pick-out-or-stumble-upon-a/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [There is only one purpose to which a whole society can be directed by a deliberate plan. That purpose is war, and there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/there-is-only-one-purpose-to-which-a-whole-society-can-be-directed-by/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [In a democracy, the opposition is not only tolerated as constitutional, but must be maintained because it is indispensable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/in-a-democracy-the-opposition-is-not-only-tolerated-as-constitutional/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) [Explore all 296 Walter Lippmann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) ## More Actors quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. 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Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/) [Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/) > [A rapper is about being completely true to yourself. Being an actor is about changing who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/a-rapper-is-about-being-completely-true-to-yourself-being-an-actor-is/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [I've been a professional actor for almost 40 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-perlman/i-ve-been-a-professional-actor-for-almost-40-years/) [Ron Perlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-perlman/) > [American actors are coy. We all have pricks and cunts, or are you different from the rest of us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-greenaway/american-actors-are-coy-we-all-have-pricks-and-cunts-or-are-you/) [Peter Greenaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-greenaway/) [Browse all 11,394 Actors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our life is managed from behind the scenes: we are actors in dramas that we cannot interpret. 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